THE street cleansing team at Harrogate council was so impressed with the support from Ripon Rotary club during litter awareness week that it has presented the club with a specially-commissioned trophy.

More than 160 bags of rubbish were cleared from the bypass and west of the market place by the Rotarians, helped by community workers under the auspices of the probation service, as part of the spring cleaning of the city.

The Rotarians also cleared 20 bags of rubbish from Boroughbridge Road and 15 from the paths on Gallows Hill.

Coun Bill Hoult, portfolio member for public works, said: "Their efforts really were above and beyond the normal level of volunteer support. It snowed very heavily on the weekend the litter pick was planned for the bypass but, undeterred, the Rotarians turned to west of the market place, where they collected 80 bags of rubbish.

"The following weekend, when the snow had cleared, they returned to the bypass and collected another 80. They also cleared Hutton Bank and Rotary Way.

"It is wrong to single out one volunteer, but our special thanks go to John Richmond, Ripon Rotarians' environmental officer. His enthusiasm and dedication shone through. 1 know the street cleansing team enjoyed working with him".

Mr Richmond said Ripon Rotarians would continue their work throughout the year. He said "Many of the schools in the city are doing their bit and we are working with the senior schools which are responding to our efforts to keep the ball rolling.